Team USA water polo star Maggie Steffens’ sister-in-law dies unexpectedly at 2024 Paris Olympics, coach reveals after win over Greece
The sister-in-law of three-time Olympic water polo champion Maggie Steffens has died unexpectedly during the Olympic Games in Paris.
Team USA coach Adam Krikorian revealed the death of Lulu Conner, 26, after Steffens and Team USA defeated Greece in Saturday’s opening Olympic match. Details surrounding Conner’s death have not been made public, and reports that she died of an embolism are unconfirmed.
She is the younger sister of Bobby Conner, who married Steffens in the fall of 2023.
“It was a shock to everybody,” Krikorian said Saturday, as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. “I don’t know the circumstances. But it’s a devastating time for Bobby and his family and for Maggie.”
Steffens was seen throwing flowers into the Seine from Team USA’s boat during the opening ceremony on Friday night. At the time, NBC reported that her husband’s family had lost a relative, though no further details were given at the time.
U.S. coach Adam Krikorian revealed the death of Lulu Conner (pictured), 26, after Steffens and Team USA defeated Greece in Saturday’s Olympic opening match
Maggie Steffens (left) recently married Conner’s brother, Bobby (right), in fall 2023
Lulu Conner (pictured) graduated from the University of California, Davis
“From what I know, Lulu was full of energy and was so excited to be here and see this team,” Krikorian said. “We can honor her by playing with energy.
“It’s not something you’re ever prepared for,” Krikorian continued. “Maggie knows my pain and my grief — I’ve shared that with her. The pain and the shock are the things that stand out.”
Lulu attended the couple’s wedding in November in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Grateful to have had an amazing week celebrating these two salsa dancing lovebirds!!,” she wrote in an Instagram post after the ceremony. “I couldn’t have asked for a better brother or cooler new sister.”
Team USA defeated Greece 15-6 on Saturday.
In addition to Lulu’s passing, the team is also affected by the ongoing battle with cancer of Tokyo Games MVP Maddie Musselman’s husband, Pat Woepse.
“This was my biggest goal, with everything being so unknown,” Woepse told The Associated Press about attending the 2024 Paris Games after Saturday’s 16-5 win over Greece. “So it was a pretty emotional, emotional day for me. I couldn’t be happier to be here to support Maddie and the team.”